USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 62
USA > Wisconsin > La Crosse County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 62
USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 62
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Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Builders' Union of La Crosse, and has been honored with the office of president of that body.
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LE L. MYHRE .- Scandinavia has fur- nished her full quota of substantial citizens for the peopling of the Republic of the United States, a band of men and women retlecting great eredit upon their mother country. Ole L. Myhre was born in Norway in 1863, a son of Lars and Mary Olsen, also Norwegians by birth; the father followed work on the river and was drowned in 1871, leaving his family in almost desti- tute circumstances. When our subject had attained his eighteenth year, lie determined to cross the sea to America in order to better his condition. The opportunities offered by the New World could not be inferior to those of the land he was leaving, so he felt it a safe venture. Coming to a strange people speaking a strange tongue. with no capital and no friends, is an experience that will test the bravest heart. The first three years of Mr. Myhre's sojourn here he was variously employed, performing any labor that promised honest returns. By strict economy he man- aged to give himself the advantage of two terms in the commercial school of La Crosse
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and one term in the University at Galesville.
The first money that he invested was put into lots in North La Crosse, and this proved a profitable outlay. In 1887 he opened a meat market, renting both the markets in this part of the town. Since that time he has erected a market, ice-house, stable, and a good frame dwelling. He has proven him- self a man of unquestioned integrity, and by the employment of strictly honorable methods he has established a large and paying busi- ness.
Mr. Myhre was married in 1886, to Miss Gunda Hegge, a daughter of Hans Hegge of La Crosse, and to them has been born one child, named Mary. Mr. Myhre is a member of the Knights of Labor.
worked at his trade, and also served as a clerk in a hardware store until 1884, when he opened an establishment on his own account. He has been very successful in this under- taking, his methods being systematic and his aim being to give the best satisfaction in every piece of work entrusted to him.
He is a member of the Deutsche Verein, of the Third Ward Aid Society, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of sterling traits of character, and is destined to occupy a prominent position in the com- mercial circles of the State.
ALTER SCOTT LUCE .- The sub- ject of this sketch was born at Gales- ville, Wisconsin, March 28, 1861. His parents were Samnel S. Luce and Hannah IEGO LANGE, hardware merchant and contractor in tin and sheet-iron roofing, was born at Watertown, Wisconsin, March 13, 1859, and is a son of Adolph W. and Louisa (Segelke) Lange. His parents were born, reared and married in their native (Gale) Luce. The latter a sister of the late Judge Gale, from whom Galesville received its name. Our subject's career has been an uneventful one, being that of a hard-working, ambitious journalist. His father was editor of the Galesville Transcript at the time of conntry, Germany, and emigrated to America , his birth, and at the early age of ten years abont 1845 or 1847, landing in the city of New Orleans; later they removed to Water- town. Wisconsin, where the father followed his profession, that of a veterinary surgeon. for many years. Ile died in this place Sep- tember 2, 1890; his wife survives him. They reared a tamily of three sons and three daugh- ters: Ernest of La Crosse: Mary, Minnie, Alma, widow of Heimer Wedermeyer; Diego, the subject of this brief biography, and Ilerman of Spokane Falls. Washington. our subject began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Galesville Journal, which was owned and edited by his brother, George S. Luce. This occupation he gave up for two or three years while he attended the Gales- ville University, now Gale College, but was too anxious to get back to work to secure the diploma, almost in sight. In 1881 he pur- chased from his father the office of the Gales- ville Independent, which he continued to publish with success until 1859, when he
Diego Lange grew to manhood in Water- sold out and moved to La Crosse, where in town, and there learned the tinner's trade; June, 1890, he purchased a half interest in he also clerked in a hardware store, familiar- 'the La Crosse Daily Press, then but three izing himself with all the details of the months old. Ile bought out his partner in business. In 1878 he came to La Crosse, . the following December, and up to the pres-
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ent time has continued the business with marked snceess.
The family is a literary one, both father and mother possessing acknowledged poetical ability. They united in the publication of a volume of poems in 1576, and since then S. S. Luce has issued two other volumes. George S. Luce, a brother, is a journalist, and Mrs. Dorwin, of Durand, a sister, has won several magazine prizes for her writings.
In 1882 he was married to Miss Carrie Davis, and they have one child. a daughter. of eight years.
His journalistic eareer thus far has been most flattering, and he attributes his success ' Our subject then started to Montgomery, to a thorough knowledge of every detail of the business, having graduated from every department, from office boy to managing edi- | Alabama; he was paid off at Madison, Wis- tor. Ile is proud of his Wisconsin birth. and hopes to spend the rest of his life in the journalistie field of Western Wisconsin.
OSEPH PINKERTON, who has for many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Hamilton township, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. Ile was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, Feb- ruary 17, 1821, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Crosby) Pinkerton, both of whom are deceased; the father died in 1827, and the mother in 1533; they were natives of Scotland and passed their lives in that country. They reared a family of three children: Sarah, wife of William Robinson; Joseph, the subject of this notice, and John, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. The two brothers sailed from Liverpool for America in 1844, and after their arrival here stopped for a year in Canada West; thence they came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and pur- chased 120 acres of land. which they cultivated
until the beginning of the eivil war. When there came a call for men to go to the defence of the Union, they went to La Crosse and enlisted in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving from September 1, 1864, to the close of the war. They par- ticipated in the engagement at Nashville and also at Franklin, and thenee went to New Orleans; at this point they embarked on an ocean steamer, erossed the Gulf to Mobile; they cruised about this port, were in many skirmishes, and in the final battle were vie- torious. Thence they were removed to Span- ish Fort, and their last battle was at Blakely.
Alabama. and was finally discharged and mustered out of the service at Uniontown, consin. Ile was once slightly wounded at Nashville, but was never taken prisoner, although he had many narrow escapes. Ile was a faithful, valiant soldier, always ready for duty, and never lost a moment from ill- ness or other cause. When the war was ended he returned to his home, and was met with this discouraging fact: the lumber he had ready to build a house had been destroyed by the forest fires.
Hle was obliged to begin life over again, and, taking a piece of land, began to reduce it from a wild state, to one of enltivation. lle tilled the soil for fourteen years, and in 1879, was compelled to abandon farming on account of failing health. The exposure he endured in the army was too severe, and he has never recovered from the effects of it; he has been receiving a small pension from the Government sinee 1881, which has been recently increased.
Mr. Pinkerton has been called to fill various township offices and has filled these positions with eredit to himself. Politieally he adheres to the Republican party, in which he is an
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active worker. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, and takes a just pride in his mili- tary record. lle is in every way a most worthy citizen, and merits the esteem in which he is held.
OHIN PINKERTON, a retired agricul- turist, of Ilamilton township, has contributed his share of labor in the development of La Crosse county, and has earned the rest he is now enjoying. He was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, December 14, 1824. Upon the breaking out of the civil war in his adopted country, he enlisted in the same company and regiment as his brother Joseph, took part in the same engagements, and was honorably discharged at the same time. After his return from the war he en- gaged in farming, and followed this calling until 1890, when failing health compelled him to retire from active pursuits. His farm is situated three and a half miles north of West Salem, and contains ninety acres; it is well watered, by the La Crosse river, and is excellently adapted both to stoek and grain raising; his cattle are of the Holstein breed, the hogs are Poland China, and the horses are of good record; the crops are wheat, oats, hay, corn and potatoes. The buildings on the place are of a substantial character and are supplied with all modern conveniences.
Mr. Pinkerton was married June 14, 1864, to Miss Jane Hewitt, a daughter of James and Eleanor Hewitt of La Crosse county. This union has been blessed with the birth of one child: Margaret, who is the wife of George Gilickson, and they have two children, Carrie and Harvey.
Both our subject and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the G. A. R. Post
of West Salem. He is a man of genial dis- position, progressive in his views, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity.
RANK D. SIIAW, who for many years has been a trusted employé of the Chi- cago, Burlington and Northern Rail- road Company, is a citizen of La Crosse county, and is deserving of the place that has been accorded him in this record of substan- tial men and women. He was born in New Hampshire, September 25, 1554, and is a son of John and Susan (Shaw) Shaw, who were also natives of New Hampshire. The father was a tiller of the soil, but devoted a portion of his life to the ministry of the Baptist Church. Ile was widely known as an able preacher, and accomplished much in the cause of his Master. He was born July 12, 1812, and died August 25, 1856; his wife was born August 5, 1823, and died at Fair- banks, Florida, in 1883. The family re- moved to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled in Rock county. There were four sons in the family: James K. died at the age of forty years; he married Mary O'Harra and they had three children: Emma, Charles and Albert; he was a shoemaker by trade, and resided in Milwaukee; his wife is also deceased. John B. lives at Paxton, Illinois; he married Libbie Holcomb, and to them have been born five children: George. Jen- nie, Jessie (deceased), Frankie and Horace. Daniel P. is in Chicago; he married Arpie Smith. The fourth son is Frank D., the subject of this biography. He received his education in the public schools, and for two years was a student at the Illinois Industrial University. He was afterwards employed by the Chicago Times as mailing agent for a terin of four years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
When he severed his connection with the Chicago Times he began his career as a rail- road man, securing a position with the Chi- cago & Iowa Railroad Company as brakeman ; in six months he became train baggage-man. and retained this position for six and a half years. He was then promoted to the posi- tion of conductor on the above named road; he ran a construction train until the road was finished, and then had the honor of taking the first regular passenger train going south from La Crosse. Ile still retains this run, and has never lost any time except on account of illness, either of himself or in his family.
Mr. Shaw was married November 14, 1882, to Miss Anna M. Murphy, a daughter of James and Johanna Murphy, of Chicago, Illinois, both of whom survive. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw: Franklin (deceased), Florence M. and Jessie , sion of teaching he devoted some time to this E. Mrs. Shaw is a member of the Catholic calling with gratifying success. Church. Politically Mr. Shaw affiiates with | the Republican party. IIe is a man of ex- cellent habits, and during his service to the railroad company he has given a degree of satisfaction seldom equaled.
James and Johanna Murphy reared a fam- ily of eight children: James, Patrick, Thomas, Anna M. (Mrs. Shaw), Nellie, wife of Edwin Utman, Alice, Mamie and John.
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EORGE FARNAM, deceased, was one of the worthy band of pioneers who i Clark, agent of the American Express Com- paved the way for the advance of civili- zation on the Western frontier. As such his name is to be preserved in the annals of La Crosse county. Ile was born in Orange county, New York. February 24, 1825, and was the son of Stephen and Keturah (Sey- bolt) Farnam, natives of the Empire State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and of Abel and Sarah Montgomery. The father
gave the strietest attention to his vocation ; he was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and was greatly respected by the entire community; he was born October 19, 1779, and died April 27, 1865; his wife was born September 6, 1787, and died December 6. 1872; they were married October 31, 1812, and lived in great harmony and happiness forty-six years; the faithful wife had not long to walk alone on earth, but was soon called to join the com- panion of her worldly experience. To them were born seven children: Abigail, Mary (deceased). Harriet, Matilda. George. Emily, who died July 14, 1861, aged thirty-three years, and Sarah F., who died April 27, 1844, at the age of thirteen years. George Farnam received his education in the State of New York, and was reared to the pursuit of agri- culture: having an inclination to the profes-
Ile came from New York to Iowa in 1851, and selected La Crosse as his future home; Farnam street is named in his honor. He first embarked in the lumber business, but during the latter years of his life he gave his attention to the real-estate trade.
Mr. Farnam was united in marriage March 3, 1852, to Miss Ann M. Stover, and to them were born four children: Walter G., who died in infancy: Arthur S., manager of the Star Knitting Works, of La Crosse, married Miss Jennie Calvert, and they have one child, Margaret; Emme L., is the wife of J. H. pany, at Winona; Anna is a teacher of wide experience and superior ability, employed in the Minneapolis schools; the mother of these children died October 13, 1867, aged thirty- six years. Mr. Farnam's second marriage ocenrred December 1, 1870, when he was united to Miss Sarah Montgomery, daughter
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of Mrs. Farnam died in 1880, aged eighty- six years, and his wife passed away in 1870 at the age of seventy-five years. The children of Mr. Farnam's second marriage are: George E., a type-writer in the employ of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Com- pany since his sixteenth year; he is a young man of great promise, having exceptional business qualifications; he is a member of the Congregational Church, and is an active worker in the Y. M. C. A., of this city: Roy M. was born April 13, 1873, and died May 2, 1882; Josie F. is a pupil in the La Crosse graded schools; she is also a member of the Congregational Church. The mother has been a member of this church since her twentieth year, and until her health deelined, was a most zealous worker.
Mr. Farnam, after a long and painful ill- ness, died September 10, 1891, at the age of sixty-six years. Ile was an honored member of the I. O. O. F. Ile took a deep interest in the affairs of the Government, and faith- fully discharged his duties as a citizen of this free and independent nation; he east his suf- frage with the Republican party, and zeal ously supported the principles of that body.
milling business, he removed to La Crosse eounty and purchased the Barre Mills, which he repaired and put in good working eon- dition. IIe has successfully conducted these mills up to the present time, and his large local trade is the strongest indorsement his product could have. He offers his customers the best terms, and by treating everyone who has business relations with him in a court- eous and proper manner, he has met with well deserved snecess.
Ile was married in 1880, to Miss Anna Ilass, daughter of Rev. William and Henri- etta lass, the former of whom was pastor of a church at Lowell, Wisconsin, for five years, and later acted in the same capacity in other localities. He died in Mormon valley, in 1890, his death being a source of deep regret, not only to his congregation but to all who knew him. In addition to his mill Mr. Braitzman owns three aeres of land. which he uses as a pasture, and near his mill is a sub- stantial two-story brick dwelling-house in which he resides with his family. Ile keeps a number of good horses, cattle and hogs and is an enterprising and thrifty man of business. His union has been blessed in the birth of the following children: Lonisa, Lena, Emma, Edwin, Amanda and Arthur. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Bostwick valley, and in politics he is a stanch Demoerat.
ERD BRAITZMAN is the proprietor of the Barre Mills and is one of the pro- gressive and leading business men of the township. He was born in Germany and there was reared, edueated and learned his trade. Being anxious to make his own way OHN HIASS has been before the publie as a miller and farmer of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, since 1869, and dur- ing this time his career has been marked by honesty of purpose, thrift, intelligence, -in fact, all the qualities that go towards making a model citizen. He was born in Prussia, in the world and to acquire a competency. he decided that America offered the best field for the accomplishment of his desires, and in 1879 he left the old country and came to the United States. After a residence of eight years in Watertown, Wisconsin, during which time his attention was devoted to the ; Germany, in 1841, and the same year of his
Hg Carlyh
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birth he was left fatherless, his mother's ' she has found in them true and disinterested death ocenrring at a later period. John Ilass friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hass are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Bost- wick valley, and have the respect of a large circle of aegnaintances. was the youngest of their twelve children, and in March, 1866. he came to America and settled in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Having learned the details of milling in his native land, he began following this ealling in this county, and for a number of years worked for wages for other men. In 1869 he located on the Jones farm, purchasing two eighty-aere traets, and of this valuable land he is still the fortunate owner. He soon after purchased over six aeres of land on which was erected a flonring mill, and this he utilizes during the winter seasons for grinding feed, his monthly income from the
ALTER JOHN CARLYLE, deceased, was born in Williamsburg, Dundas county, Ontario, June 6, 1849, the oldest of a family of eight children born to Adam and Catherine E. (Cook) Carlyle. The maternal grandparents, John and Catherine (Hess) Cook, were natives of Canada and New York respectively. Adamn Carlyle was same amounting to about $100. He is a born in Scotland, February 15, 1825, and thrifty and practical farmer and his land is came with his parents to Canada, at the age exceptionally well cultivated and improved, his residence, which is a substantial two-story brick structure, being located on a beautiful building site. He has two large barns on his premises for sheltering stock and for storing grain, besides other convenient buildings, and an excellent wind-pump, which saves him the labor of pumping water for his stock. A good-sized creek runs through his land, thus making it a good stock-raising farm, and it is also admirably adapted for the raising of the cereals, hay, etc. That often mueh abused phrase "self-made man" may be ap- plied to him, for on reaching this country his capital was very small indeed, and it is entirely owing to his own pluck and push that he is now so comfortably situated.
of fourteen years. They settled near Corn- wall, Ontario, but later removed to North Williamsburg, where he married Catherine E. Cook, who was born April 18, 1828. Their family was as follows: Walter J., the subject of this biographical sketch; Cather- ine J .. wife of George Spangler; Thomas D., the first white child born in De Soto, Wis- consin: Anna E .; Mary A., wife of C. Con- ley: Daisy II., wife of Ed Gorry; Adam W., and George, who died at the age of seventeen. The father of this family died June 7, 1891, but the mother still survives, and is a woman of most worthy character. Adam Carlyle was a cousin of the celebrated anthor, Thomas Carlyle. He was a man of sterling integrity, and for many years was identified with the commercial growth of De Soto, Wisconsin, where he settled with his family in 1856.
He was married, in 1869, to Miss Ida Con- nell, who came from Germany the same year as himself, in company with a sister and a brother of Mr. Hass. Her parents still re- side in Germany.
Our subject came to Wisconsin with his father's family when a youth of seven years,
Martha Hass, an adopted daughter, has and grew to maturity at De Soto, Vernon been living and making her home with Mr. county, and there received his early odnea- and Mrs. Hass for the past thirteen years, and tion. He was employed some years in ereet -
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ing telegraph lines, one of these extending from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Lansing, Iowa. Hle set the first telegraph pole ever put up in Lincoln, Nebraska.
April 21, 1873, at La Crosse, Wisconsin. he was nnited in marriage to Miss Elizabeth R. Hughes. a daughter of Captain Robert and Hannah (Fairbanks) IInghes, a sketch of whom appears next after this. The young couple located at Fulton, Illinois, and Mr. Carlyle became the agent for the Dia- mond Joe Steamboat Company. In the spring of 1874 he embarked in the whole- sale flour business at Paterson, New Jersey, in company with his father and a Mr. Wil- cox, under the firm name of Wilcox & Carl- yles. This business venture proved dis- astrons, and at the end of a year Mr. Carlyle returned to Wisconsin, and soon after located again at Fulton, and resumed business for the Diamond Joe Company, and remained in their employ several years. Ile settled in La Crosse in 1885, where, in company with his brother-in-law, they established the well- known La Crosse Enterprise Marble Works. Later he was interested in the La Crosse Grocery Company; he was its manager, and gave character and stability to that enter- prise, which is still doing business. Ilis death occurred at his home, November 14, 1890.
Mr. Carlyle was a man of strongly marked character, honorable, upright, self-reliant and progressive: a man of great business ability, active. energetic and pushing, doing well whatever his hands found to do. A fine type of the true American citizen, his energy was so great, and application to business so con- stant, that it gradually wore upon his physi- cal strength, and when typhoid fever came upon him he became its prey while yet in the prime of early manhood. He was broad and liberal in his religions views, moral and
generous, and at all times faithfully dis- charged his duty to his fellow-man and his family. In politics he was a Republican, as are all the members of the Carlyle family. He was a charter member of the La Crosse Lodge of Modern Woodmen, and his the first death to occur among its members.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Ma- rion E., Jean O., Josie E., Fredericka E., Georgiana C. and Tomsina. Robert, Cora and Walter J. are deceased.
Mrs. Carlyle is an intelligent, cultured woman. She and her daughters are members of the Universalist Church, and their pleas- ant home is the abode of hospitality and happiness.
APTAIN ROBERT HUGHES, for whom the La Crosse camp of the Sons of Veterans is named, was born in Anglesea, Wales, in 1822, and was edn- cated in his native country. He emigrated to America in 1842, and was successfully following his trade, that of a tailor, when the dark cloud of the Rebellion spread from the horizon to the zenith; every loyal eitizen, whether by birth or adoption, had a duty to perform, and Captain Hughes responded to the call for 75,000 men to go to the front in defense of the old flag. Ile enlisted in the service as Second Lieutenant of the first company to leave La Crosse, Wilson Colwell being Captain, and Frank Hatch First Lieu- tenant. The company became a part of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the mortuary record of which shows that the "Old Iron Brigade" lost the greatest per- centage of men of all brigades in the Union army. Upon the death of Captain Colwell. Lieutenant Hughes was promoted to the
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